Prayer beads themselves are of very ancient usage in the Church, probably originating with the monastics of the early Church. Eventually what was originally a pious story turned into hallowed history. Dominic as the author of the Rosary became fixed in people's minds. Alan de la Roche did much to promote the Rosary, and it is no doubt due to him that the notion of St. Dominic's authorship of the Rosary appear for the first time. It is in his writings that we see the legend of St. Dominic's involvement appears to have been due to the writings of Alan de la Roche (Alanus de Rupe) c 1428-1475. Given the silence of the historical record of his time, it is difficult to see how St. Dominic certainly had a deep and abiding devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, but there is no mention of his authorship of the Rosary in any of his writings, nor is there any mention by any of his contemporaries or his biographers of his involvement. Dominic had little, if anything, to do with the Rosary.

Critical scholarship, including much research carried out by Dominicans themselves, indicates that St. This legend, however, is unsupported by historical documentation. There is a popular tradition that the Rosary originated with St. The origins of the Dominican Rosary are obscure. The one considered here is the standard Dominican Rosary. There are rosaries in honor of the Sacred Heart, the Holy Name, the Holy Spirit, the Angels, Saint Joseph, Saint Patrick and many other saints. Furthermore, Rosaries are not restricted to devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary alone. For example, the Franciscan Rosary is composed of seven decades in honor of the Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Each has its own unique construction and emphasis. There are numerous other Rosaries, such as the Franciscan Rosary, the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows, and the Brigittine Rosary.

This is by no means the only Rosary around. It is composed of 15 decades broken into three sets of 5 decades each.

The standard Rosary with which most people are familiar is known as the Dominican Rosary.

Aside from its spiritual benefits, its appeal no doubt lies with its ease of recitation, its soothing repetitiveness, and its intimate connection with Scripture and the life of Christ. Louis Marie de Montfort (1673-1716), and St. It has been recommended by recent Popes from Leo XIII to John Paul II, and by saints, such as St. It has appealed to people of all stations in the Church, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, religious or laity. The Rosary is perhaps the most popular non-liturgical prayer in the Latin Rite.

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